ams OSRAM, Nichia Sign Updated Patent Cross-License Agreement: Week in Brief: 10/17/25
REGENSBURG, Germany, Oct. 17, 2025 — ams OSRAM and Nichia signed a comprehensive patent cross-license agreement covering thousands of patent-protected innovations in LED and laser technologies. The agreement grants the companies mutual access to each other’s patents for nitride LED and laser components and sophisticated LED packages and LED modules, such as matrix headlamps. The agreement aims to strengthen the intellectual property protection that both companies offer to customers. The companies have a 20-plus year history of cross-license agreements. The newly signed agreement covers R&D results from the last 15 years.
Hiroyoshi Ogawa (left) and Aldo Kamper signed the comprehensive cross-license agreement. Courtesy of ams OSRAM.
SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Synopsys received approval to proceed with the planned, previously announced divestitures of the Optical Solutions Group and PowerArtist businesses to Keysight Technologies, Inc. These divestitures were determined by regulatory authorities to be a necessary step related to Synopsys' acquisition of Ansys, which successfully closed this July.
The opening of Cytek Biosciences' facility in Amsterdam expands the company’s capacity to meet the demand for comprehensive cell analysis solutions. Courtesy of Cytek.
FREMONT, Calif. — Cytometry company Cytek Biosciences relocated its European headquarters to a facility in Amsterdam. The site houses Cytek's European offices and a warehouse, which has increased the footprint by more than 40%, with a dedicated customer service and training center.
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands — Aluvia Photonics, which develops aluminum oxide PICs, secured funding from PhotonDelta to expand its technology and deepen its collaborations with PhotonDelta. The company will apply the funding to ongoing projects and opportunities with customers and suppliers in the region. Aluvia, PhotonDelta said, is anticipating an investment round in 2026 aimed at scaling up manufacturing.
BALTIMORE — Myrias Optics, a flat optics manufacturer, and Pixelligent, a manufacturer of high refractive index nanocomposites, entered into a strategic manufacturing partnership. Myrias designs, develops, and manufactures wafer-level optics, such as metalenses and AR waveguides, using direct nanoprint lithography of nanoparticle composites. The collaboration will use this combination of material and process, together with Pixelligent's high-index materials, for a balance of cost and performance. The companies have been working in collaboration before the Myrias Optics spinout from The Watkins Research Lab at UMass Amherst in 2023.
WATERLOO, Ontario — The University of Waterloo plans to open an infrared-free electron laser (FEL) user facility, the first of its kind in North America. The facility will be used to research global challenges, including understanding and treating complex health conditions. The Canadian Free Electron Laser project received $10 million CAD ($7.1M) from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, $6.4 million CAD from the Ontario Research Fund, $3.6 million CAD from the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund, and $7.5 million CAD from the University of Waterloo. The project consists of the infrared FEL user facility and a complementary broad-based terahertz light source being built at TRIUMF, Canada’s national particle accelerator laboratory, in Vancouver. This facility will enable researchers to analyze the molecular structure of substances, monitor chemical transformations in wastewater, and identify biomarkers for diseases such as cancer and metabolic diseases.
Example of yttrium aluminum garnet ceramics, measuring 6 in. in diameter. Courtesy of JX Advanced Metals Corporation.
TOKYO — JX Advanced Metals Corporation has acquired shares issued by laser fusion startup, EX-Fusion, Inc. in its series A funding round. Through this investment, JX Advanced Metals Corporation aims to accelerate technological advancement, explore collaboration in materials surrounding fusion reactors, and contribute to the social implementation of laser fusion power generation. EX-Fusion aims for the societal implementation of laser fusion power generation by accelerating R&D toward the realization of laser fusion reactors. The two companies previously collaborated on the development of yttrium aluminum garnet ceramics for laser applications.
TOKYO — The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, KIYOHARA OPTICS, ArkEdge Space, and SoftBank entered into a collaborative agreement to advance the demonstration of optical wireless communications between space and the stratosphere, as well as between space and the ground. The four parties will collaborate on the development of optical wireless communication devices and their application to both satellites and stratospheric communication platforms. The first demonstration will target the launch of a low Earth orbit satellite in 2026 to verify optical wireless communication between space and the ground. Additionally, in 2027, the parties aim to conduct a world-pioneering initiative by mounting optical wireless communication devices to verify bidirectional optical wireless communications between space and the stratosphere.
WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Kopin Corporation secured roughly $3 million in orders from a tier-one aerospace company for micro-LED displays, which is the first production order for this technology in combat aircraft. The micro-LED displays are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026, and will upgrade legacy heads-up displays in fielded aircraft, providing pilots with high-resolution imagery projected onto a screen directly in their line of sight, enhancing situational awareness, safety, and mission effectiveness.
SHENZHEN, China — Hymson Laser Technology Group, a laser and automation company, acquired Xteg, a German laser cutting equipment and service provider, in a strategic move to expand Hymson’s European presence. Through this acquisition, Hymson aims to influence the competitive landscape of the European laser cutting market by using Xteg’s local sales and service strength with its own R&D and manufacturing capabilities. Hymson will use this to position itself to better meet customer requirements with both technology and responsive service, enhancing its competitiveness in Europe’s laser cutting segment. In addition, the collaboration will provide faster support and full lifecycle services to customers.
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